d, I see you have a question on your lips, may I ask you
not to put it. I think that it would not be acting honorably to your
husband if you should hear anything from our lips; he can not tell you
himself now, but it will not hurt you to wait."

"No," replied Fay, slowly, "no, it would not hurt me to wait, as you
say, but then you see Hugh may refuse to tell me, as he did before."

"Will you ask him again, and see if he refuse? will you tell him that
Margaret Ferrers begs him most earnestly to tell you why Redmond Hall
and the Grange are estranged? tell him, that no consideration for us
need seal his lips any longer, that he has always been free to speak,
that we will willingly take our share of blame; will you tell him
this?"

"Oh, yes," returned Fay, in a relieved voice; "and he will be sure to
tell me now; no doubt he was afraid of paining you in some way. Hugh
is so kind-hearted, he hates to make any one uncomfortable. I will not
try to find out any more by myself; I will be good and patient until
he gets well."

"That is spoken like a brave wife," replied Margaret, with a faint
smile. "By one who loves her husband more than herself."

"As I love Hugh," was the soft response; "dear Miss Ferrers, I must go
now; the ponies will be growing restless, and I am a long way from
home."

"Yes, I must not keep you. God bless you, Lady Redmond. Will you
forgive me if I stop here, for I have been walking from Pierrepoint,
and need rest," but Margaret did not add that her strength had
forsaken her, and that she dared not move from her place for fear her
limbs should refuse to carry her; she would wait a little until
strength came back, and she could meet Raby with her usual calmness.

"Yes, you look very tired," was Fay's unconscious answer; "but you
will soon get rested with this lovely air." And then she kissed her
affectionately, and went up the beach with her old elastic step, and
Margaret watched her sadly until she was out of sight.

"She is sweet and good, but he does not love her yet," she said to
herself; "but it will come, it must come in time."

Fay drove happily home, and was met at the lodge gates by the good
news that Sir Hugh had had an hour or two's refreshing sleep, and that
Dr. Conway, as well as Dr. Martin, were quite satisfied with the
progress he had made.

"Oh, could it be quite true?" Fay asked, when she reached the Hall.

Yes, it was quite true the fever had abated. Sir Hugh's wonderful
stre